"Man killed in train accident

Seth read outloud from his newspaper the next morning. He and Ryan were sitting at their favourite table at their local café. Ryan would sit there, in pain from a previous night's event, and Seth would read the paper out loud.

"A man identified as Joe Casada, 43, was killed instantly last night as a train ran over him in a downtown subway platform. It is believed, under the influence of alcohol, he fell onto the tracks."

Seth re read the first line in disbelief, his eyes widening, "Casada? The rapist?" He lowered his voice leaning towards Ryan, "you pushed him onto the tracks?"

"He fell" Ryan countered, shrugging and sipping his coffee.

Seth rolled his eyes, dismissing Ryan's easiness with the situation and turned the page of his newspaper. He came across an article on Ryan or Daredevil as it were.

"Listen to this…'Who is the Daredevil?' They have like a picture."

Ryan worriedly almost spilt his coffee, worried he'd been spotted.

"A picture?"

"Yeah, like an artists rendering. Don't worry dude you're safe. I can draw you better than this."

Ryan breathed a sigh of relief; he couldn't afford anyone recognising who he was. Then it hit him, how long would he be able to keep this up until someone did discover him. Discover he was a lawyer by day and murderer by night? What if Marissa ever found out? Snapping him out of his rambling thoughts Seth brought up the very subject.

"So I didn't get a chance to ask, how'd your date with Marissa go?"

"It wasn't a date."

"Sure it wasn't, I saw the two of you. You guys looked like you were back in tenth grade."

"Nothing's going on Seth." Ryan sighed, he knew it wouldn't work. It might've when they were younger, but they'd grown up since then.

"What do you mean?"

"She's out of my league and it's better to stop now before anything starts."

"Well congratulations Ryan. You just bypassed the whole relationship phase and straight into the break-up. The one time you could be happy and you want to give up?"

Ryan sighed, standing up and found his cane; he and Seth walking out of the café.

"Look what am I supposed to do? You saw what happened with Victoria. I'm gone all night; I look like a wreck in a morning. She doesn't deserve a half ridden relationship, even if I do want to be with her."

"Then tell her, she'll understand."

"Oh yeah, sure. Hey Marissa just so you know I'm Daredevil and last night I pushed a man onto train tracks, want to be together? That'll go over well."

"Well the balls in your court man, do what you want. But just so you know I hadn't seen you happier than yesterday when you realised it was her."

-----

This was her first article as a reporter and she couldn't think of damned word to write. The only thing which Marissa could coherently think of was Ryan Atwood and their chance meeting. In fact she had typed his name twice, by accident or lack of concentration.

Snapping her out of her reverie the deliveries from the courier had arrived on her desk. She was given her daily newspaper and an A4 envelope. Pushing aside the paper, curiously she opened the package and was surprised to find two invitations to the Black & White Ball her father was hosting; one for herself and one for a guest. She knew exactly who her guest would be now and it was perfect in a way. The majority of the words on the fancy invitation were engraved so they would be easy for Ryan to trace and read. Finally she'd found someone special, as her father would put it.

Making a mental note to personally give this invite to Ryan as soon as possible she put it aside and opened her newspaper. There was one article which caught her eye 'Who Is the Daredevil?'. Intrigued she looked over the comical artists rendering, she couldn't believe the vigilante looked like that. Actually she would've loved to know what he looked like and more importantly who was behind the mask. It could be anyone in New York City, she slightly chuckled to herself as she thought of anyone she knew who was the leather wearing crusader. She'd probably never had or never will meet the Daredevil.

-----

"Ryyyyyyyyan...hello? Earth to Ryan..."

Seth spoke up for the fifth time that day trying to get his brother's attention.

"Uh...what? Sorry..."

Seth sighed worriedly as Ryan adjusted his tie and continued to follow his brail court reports.

"Dude you should go home, have a rest."

"I can't. We have a new client coming in later tonight."

"I can handle it."

It was now late afternoon and Seth had been doing most of the work anyway. Ryan had been in a trance ever since their little repertoire in the café this morning.

Giving in Ryan grabbed his coat and cane and putting on his sunglasses started the trek back to his apartment.

-----

Walking down the street to his apartment complex he smelt something familiar. Besides the smell of moisture in the air, meaning rain would come soon, he smelt vanilla. Marissa was here, smiling he stopped in his tracks.

"Hey"

Marissa smiled, realising Ryan had sensed her.

"I knew I'd find you...how'd you know I wasn't a mugger?" She laughed as Ryan turned around.

"Well muggers don't usually wear vanilla oil or high heels."

Marissa laughed and stepped closer, "So I was hoping I could invite you to this party my fathers hosting."

Ryan bowed his head, remembering his conversation with Seth this morning. But with Marissa actually standing before him, it was hard to agree with those words.

"I'm not much of a dancer." Ok, that was a lame excuse.

"I can help you with that."

Ryan's heart immediately flip flopped at this perfect opportunity.

"Come on, I want to show you something."

--------

After endlessly climbing many flights of stairs, Ryan led Marissa out to the roof of his apartment building; he immediately sensed the temperature drop.

"Now how many girls would you say you've brought up here?" Marissa questioned, holding Ryan's arm.

Ryan chuckled, "You're my first."

"Good answer."

Facing her, Ryan folded up his cane, putting it in his pocket and felt for her hands.

"Ryan...it's so beautiful up here."

"I figured this view had to be appreciated by someone who could see it, also, it's perfect."

"Perfect...for what?"

"For me...to see you."

Marissa's brow immediately furrowed in confusion.

"See me? I--"

"It's going to rain you know."

"No, it's not." She chuckled, looking up at the sky just in case.

"It is, seriously. The temperature dropped 2 or 3 degrees, I can smell it..."

A smile crept onto Marissa's face in fascination as Ryan continued.

"And when it rains, each raindrop makes a sound as it hits a surface and it's like just then, I can see...and...and I just want to see you."

Ryan nervously squeezed her hand, hoping she'd stay. Marissa immediately blushed, she squeezed Ryan's hand back, her heart swelling with happiness.

"I want you to se me Ry."

Ryan grinned and removed his sunglasses, tilting his head to the sky.

"Here it comes."

Marissa also looked up and sure enough the rain peltered down on the both of them, soaking their clothes through. Ryan slowly opened his eyes and moved his vision downward, he instantly found Marissa. For the first time in his life he saw her, and knew he'd never wish to see anything but her. Her softly featured face was created by a shadow of the sound waves of the rain and her beautiful eyes stared right into his. He'd always imagined what Marissa looked like but right now all he could think of was her smiling at him.

Marissa blushed, blinking the rain from her eyes and self consciously pushed the wet hair from her face. What if Ryan didn't like what he saw? Yet suddenly he lifted his gentle hand, placing it on her cheek, instantly giving her warmth.

"My god..." He breathed out, bringing his soft fingers down to trace her lips, "You are so beautiful..."

Without realising it Marissa was crying, tears of joy as her hand covered his, pulling him towards her and embracing his lips in a passionate kiss.

This was what they'd both been missing, what they'd been craving. Each other. The same passion from when they were teenagers was still there and it was a moment neither one of them would forget for the rest of their lives. Ryan moaned softly as Marissa parted his lips with her tongue, finding his.

"Help!" Ryan heard the voice come from afar. It sounded like someone was in trouble, and in any normal situation Ryan would already be there. Yet right now, he was with Marissa.

"Shut up! You mess with the Kingpin, you get what you deserve!" Another voice rang out, and Ryan pulled back from the kiss, searching for its direction.

"Ryan...Ryan, what's wrong?" Marissa worriedly asked, as Ryan looked distressed about something.

"I'm sorry." Ryan sadly decided going to leave, "I have to go." Yet before he could move another step, he felt her latch onto his wrist; he was so glad she did.

"Stay, stay with me." She hopefully held strong, scared to loose him again.

Ryan knew, at that moment, he could never leave Marissa Cooper again.

------

Neither one of them were sure of how they'd managed to reach Ryan's apartment, into his bedroom. Their rain drenched bodies held close as Marissa proceeded to remove Ryan's jacket and shirt as he found the hem of her blouse, carefully pulling it off of her shivering body.

The pile of clothes grew on the floor and a nervous yet completely devoted Marissa led hers and Ryan's vulnerable bodies onto his bed. Ryan tentatively brought his hand up to her face, kissing her once more while Marissa brought his other hand up to touch her body. They both softly moaned into each others mouths as Ryan felt the soft skin of her breast. Sitting up, Marisa softly kissed his neck, reassuring him she was there and instantly gasped in pleasure as she felt him enter her. Her and Ryan were finally whole, a perfect fit.

Ryan held Marissa close as he made sure she wasn't uncomfortable, whispering his love for her over and over he began to slowly thrust with the rhythm of the rain peltering down outside. Marissa held Ryan close, grabbing onto his back and came across a scar. Unsure of where it came from, she found another five. Filled with sorrow, she kissed him deeply, tracing each scar with her finger, hoping they'd disappear.

Ryan gasped loudly as he and Marissa came together, still holding each other close. Marissa shivered in delight, breathing out Ryan's name and kissing his shoulder. Together they lay on his bed, Ryan's strong arms encompassing Marissa's small body. They had found love again.

A/N: Hope you all enjoyed it. I enjoyed writing it, and I hope you'll still look forward to more posts. Sorry for updating so slow.